Hardware for entertainment content in vehicles

ABSTRACT

Systems and computer-implemented methods are disclosed for providing social entertainment experiences in a moving vehicle via an apparatus that simulates human social behavior relevant to a journey undertaken by the vehicle, for displaying human-perceivable exterior communication on the moving vehicle to neighboring vehicles and/or pedestrians, and for providing a modular travel experience.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present disclosure is a continuation of International App. SerialNo. PCT/US20/54164 filed Oct. 3, 2021, which claims priority to U.S.provisional application Ser. No. 62/910,854 filed Oct. 4, 2019, whichapplication is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to apparatus, systems and methods forenhancing a vehicle with entertainment, social, and travel-relatedcontent.

BACKGROUND

While traveling in vehicles equipped with network access, passengers canaccess content and applications provided over the network, for example,social networking applications and media content. However, currentapplications and user devices are either focused solely on navigationalor operational aspects of vehicle travel or are consumed on the samedevices as used when not in a vehicle, for example, smart phones,tablets, or mixed reality gear. Passengers in vehicle lack dedicatedhardware that can make vehicular travel more engaging and entertaining.Furthermore, the coming introduction of autonomous vehicles (AVs) shouldincrease demand for entertainment and non-navigational socialinteraction in vehicles as a human driver is no longer needed andpassengers need something other than navigation or driving to occupytheir time.

In another aspect, vehicle customization as personal expression has beenpart of vehicle ownership since the bumper sticker. As fewer people owncars, the opportunities to customize a vehicle for personal tastes orexpression diminish. Hardware for providing avenues for personalcustomization and expression are hardly more sophisticated than airfresheners and fuzzy dice, despite advances in robotic and electronictechnologies.

Other vehicle equipment is used for signaling to people outside, such aspedestrians or other drivers. Signaling devices include brake lights,turn indicators, and the vehicles horn. Enterprising drivers can alsouse headlight to signal, gesture, or yell out an open window. All thesedevices and methods are almost as old as the automobile itself and havea limited expressive range.

It would be desirable, therefore, to provide new hardware, systems andmethods for providing entertainment experiences in a moving vehicle andmore effective technology for customization, personal expression, andsignaling with those outside the vehicle in connection with vehiculartravel that overcome these and other limitations of the prior art.

SUMMARY

This summary and the following detailed description should beinterpreted as complementary parts of an integrated disclosure, whichparts may include redundant subject matter and/or supplemental subjectmatter. An omission in either section does not indicate priority orrelative importance of any element described in the integratedapplication. Differences between the sections may include supplementaldisclosures of alternative embodiments, additional details, oralternative descriptions of identical embodiments using differentterminology, as should be apparent from the respective disclosures.

In an aspect of the disclosure, systems and computer-implemented methodsare disclosed for providing entertainment experiences in a movingvehicle. As used in the present disclosure, vehicles are connectedvehicles and may be referred to simply as vehicles and may includevarious suitable types of vehicles, whether driven autonomously ordriven by a person. In an aspect, the vehicle may be coupled to apeer-to-peer network, a mobile mesh network, and to a wireless wide areanetwork. As a vehicle travels, it connects to one or more othervehicles, either directly or via one or more servers, to provideentertainment experiences to the passengers. The entertainmentexperiences may include programs for social interaction, such as socialnetworking applications (Facebook™, Twitter™, etc.), and multiplayergames.

In general, drivers are occupied with driving and therefore cannotsafely participate in all types of entertainment experiences whiledriving apart from audio-only experiences. While the technologiesdescribed herein can be applied to customize audio entertainment fordrivers, the focus of the application is on customizing generalentertainment experiences for passengers in autonomous or human-drivenvehicles who are able to focus their attention elsewhere than the road.Accordingly, as used herein “passenger” includes all vehicle occupantsto the extent their attention will not be diverted by entertainment fromsafely driving the vehicle, including non-drivers for all forms ofentertainment described herein and drivers only for non-distractingentertainment, including mainly hands-free audio, imagery, olfactory ortactile content presented at times and in modes that will not distractthe driver from driving. Significant use cases for the presenttechnology include autonomous vehicles in which all occupants arepassengers and no danger of distracting the driver by entertainmentcontent exists. Use cases may also include human-driven vehicles, inwhich the entertainment content should be presented in a mode that doesnot distract the driver, for example, on portable passenger devices(PPDs) such as smartphones, smartwatches, notepad computers, laptopcomputers, mixed reality headsets, toy figures, dolls, virtualreality/augmented reality headsets, and other special purpose mediaplayers.

In an aspect, the systems and methods may include an apparatuscomprising a portable housing, at least one processor in an interior ofthe housing, at least one output device and a memory coupled to the atleast one processor. The portable housing may have a form factorselected from one of the PPDs. The memory may hold program instructionsexecutable by the at least one processor. In an aspect, the apparatusmay sense that a journey from an origin to a destination has beeninitiated. In an aspect, the apparatus may initiate the journey. Inanother aspect, the vehicle or a controller may initiate the journey.The controller may be co-located in the vehicle, or may be located at aremote location, for example, at a server.

The apparatus may further access a program for non-navigational socialinteraction with one or more passengers during the journey, In anaspect, the apparatus may access the program for non-navigational socialinteraction based at least in part on the sensing of the initiation ofthe journey, and on one or more identifiers for the journey. Theidentifiers may include the origin, destination, and points of interestalong the journey, trip purpose, vehicle physical location/city, andtravel context such as weather, rain or snow.

In an aspect, the apparatus may access the program for non-navigationalsocial interaction based at least in part on user intentional input,user profile data, involuntary biometric sensor data, or a combinationthereof. User profile data may include for example: user past andpresent affinities (or past and present preference data), general socialtrends, social trends applying to user, demographic attributes of theuser, membership status in a real or virtual group. User targetedaffinities may further include one or more of shared interests in mediacontent, similarity in demographic profile, a common destination, orprior social connections. When the program for non-navigational socialinteraction relates to group activities or multiplayers, the apparatusmay also access the program for non-navigational social interactionbased at least in part on user profiles of members of a group. Invarious aspects, various data in the profiles may be used in variouscombinations.

In an aspect, the apparatus may further execute the program for socialnon-navigational interaction in synchrony with progress of the journey,thereby causing the output device to output human-perceivableinteractive social behavior relating to the journey.

In an aspect, the at least one output device of the apparatus maycomprise at least one audio output transducer. In this aspect, thehuman-perceivable interactive social behavior outputted by the apparatusmay comprise speech. One such speech may include commenting on thejourney. Instructions, for example held in the memory of the apparatus,may generate the human-perceivable speech at least in part by sending anaudio signal to the transducer.

In an aspect, the at least one output device of the apparatus maycomprise at least one electronic display screen. In this aspect, thehuman-perceivable interactive social behavior outputted at the screen bythe apparatus may comprise facial expression or body language.Instructions, for example held in the memory of the apparatus, maygenerate the human-perceivable facial expression or body language atleast in part by sending a video signal to the electronic displayscreen.

In an aspect, the at least one output device of the apparatus maycomprise a motorized armature for a toy figure. In this aspect, thehuman-perceivable interactive social behavior outputted by the apparatusmay comprise speech, facial expression and/or body language.Instructions, for example held in the memory of the apparatus, maygenerate the human-perceivable speech at least in part by sending anaudio signal to the transducer, and generate the human-perceivablefacial expression and/or body language at least in part by sending motorcontrol signals to the motorized armature.

In an aspect, the apparatus may further act as a guide to objects ofinterest along the route or the journey. In an aspect, the program fornon-navigational social interaction may act as the guide. In thisaspect, instructions, for example held in the memory of the apparatus,may generate the program for non-navigational social interaction duringthe journey at least in part by querying a database of geographicinformation based on information defining the journey. The geographicinformation may also include historical, cultural and entertainmentinformation that may be useful for a guide.

In an aspect, where the apparatus is co-present with one or more mediaplayers in a vehicle traversing the journey, the apparatus may furtherprovide access to media content via the media player. The apparatus isdistinct from the one or more media players. Media content may includeaudio video works, for example a movie, a television show or series, anadvertisement, a game, virtual reality or augmented reality content, andthe like.

In an aspect, the instructions, for example held in the memory of theapparatus, may unlock one or more features of the apparatus based atleast in part on presence of the apparatus in a vehicle traversing thejourney. In an aspect, the instructions may unlock features of a videogame related to a character represented by the apparatus.

In another aspect of the disclosure, systems and computer-implementedmethods are disclosed for outputting human-perceivable exteriorcommunication on a moving vehicle. The systems and methods may includean apparatus comprising at least one display positioned on an exteriorof a vehicle, at least one processor and a memory coupled to the atleast one processor. The memory may hold program instructions executableby the at least one processor. In an aspect, the apparatus may receivesensed information on at least one object external to the vehicle. In anaspect, the external object may be another vehicle, a pedestrian, or anobject which is in proximity to the vehicle. In an aspect, the vehiclemay be equipped with GPS sensor, and/or equipped on the exterior withone or more camera and/or motion sensors that detect the presence of theexternal object. A camera positioned on the exterior of the vehicle maycapture an image of the external object.

In an aspect, the apparatus may display human-perceivable information onthe external object on at least one output device which is positioned onthe interior of the vehicle, for example, a display screen or audiotransducer. If a camera captured an image of the object, the image maybe displayed on the display screen. The display may be positioned sothat the driver of the vehicle has an unobstructed view that does notpresent any safety issue, for example, the display may be on or near thedashboard.

In an aspect, the apparatus determines at least one exteriorcommunication output based on the external object(s). In an aspect, theapparatus retrieves content for display from a database in a sharednetwork that the vehicle shares with other vehicles. The apparatus mayuse a Venn Diagram based algorithm to determine the display contentbased on shared social interests among passengers in the vehicles in theshared network. In an aspect, the apparatus further determines thedisplay content based on shared social interests at a specific location.

In an aspect, the apparatus determines at least one exteriorcommunication output based on user preferences. The apparatus mayretrieve content for display from a database of preset user preferredselections. The apparatus may calculate and display, for example on atouch screen on the dashboard of the vehicle, the content available tobe displayed based on the user's preference.

In an aspect, the apparatus determines at least one exteriorcommunication output based on brand offerings. The apparatus mayretrieve content for display from a database of promotional brandedofferings. Branded content displayed on the vehicle's exterior may beavailable for promotional use, for example, to incite excitement over anupcoming release and/or product. For example, if a new film from a movielabel, e.g., DC Films, is about to be released, and two vehicles passeach other whose passengers both happen to be fans of DC Films whichincludes Batman, one vehicle may have the mood skin of Batman's facemask emitting light while the other vehicle may have dark light emittingresembling the Batmobile.

In an aspect, the apparatus may sense that the vehicle has becomeoperational and starts progressing on a journey. The apparatus maydetermine at least one exterior communication output for the length ofthe journey.

In an aspect, the at least one exterior communication output may furtherinclude gesture, for example facial expression, and audio. The apparatusmay interchange the exterior communication output based on activity, useand function. In sync with the communication visuals, the apparatus mayemit audio in the form of isolated sounds, specialty effects, verbalsounds, or music. Isolated sounds may include a car horn or a whistle,while verbal sounds may include saying “Good Morning”, “After you”, or“Watch out!”, etc.

In an aspect, the gestures and audio may include built in presets thatare customized to the passenger's preferences. These presets may havealready determined what the scope of the visuals include, and what thevoice will sound like in addition to what the preset audio script willbe emitting. In an aspect, the vehicle's function does not includecarrying on a full conversation, but rather briefly interacting withpassing motorists or pedestrians with critical or socially acceptablepoints of information during the vehicle's course of travel.

In an aspect, the apparatus may sense that the vehicle has becomeoperational and starts progressing on a journey. The apparatus maydetermine at least one exterior communication output based on one of themethods above, e.g., user's preference or brand offerings. The contentdisplayed may reflect, for example, a stationary Batman mask. Whenanother vehicle comes too close to the vehicle, the apparatus mayautomatically decide to gesture a “Watch Out” visual in the Batman'sfacial expression to communicate to the other “at fault” vehicle. In anaspect, the apparatus may use an AI object detection machine-basedlearning algorithm to identify (e.g., recognize) the external object asa vehicle (or a pedestrian), and to decide the gesture. In anotheraspect, the apparatus may alert the passenger to the potential safetyhazard on a display screen, and the passenger may select to deliver avisual warning to the other vehicle.

The apparatus, systems and methods described herein provide an automatedprocess for providing entertainment experiences in a moving vehicle.Applications for the apparatus, systems and methods may include, forexample, producing games for play, guide for a journey, andentertainment content in moving vehicles.

The foregoing methods may be implemented in any suitable programmablecomputing apparatus in conjunction with a vehicle or other conveyance,by provided program instructions in a non-transitory computer-readablemedium that, when executed by a computer processor, cause the apparatusto perform the described operations. The processor may be local to theapparatus and user, located remotely, or may include a combination oflocal and remote processors. An apparatus may include a computer or setof connected computers that is used in audio video production or foroutput of audio video content to one or more users. An audio videooutput device may include, for example, a personal computer, mobilephone, notepad computer, mixed reality device, virtual reality device,augmented reality device, toy figures, or special-purpose hardware forvehicles. Special-purpose hardware for vehicles may include, forexample, window glass equipped with one or more LCD layers for augmentedreality or conventional display, projectors with projection screensincorporated into the vehicle interior; seats equipped withmotion-simulating and/or motion-damping systems; vehicle audio systems;and active vehicle suspensions. Other elements of the apparatus mayinclude, for example, an audio output device and a user input device,which participate in the execution of the method. An apparatus mayinclude a virtual, augmented, or mixed reality device, such as a headsetor other display that reacts to movements of a user's head and otherbody parts. The apparatus may include biometric sensors that providedata used by the method.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, one or moreexamples comprise the features hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims. The following description andthe annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative aspectsand are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which theprinciples of the examples may be employed. Other advantages and novelfeatures will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionwhen considered in conjunction with the drawings and the disclosedexamples, which encompass all such aspects and their equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features, nature, and advantages of the present disclosure willbecome more apparent from the detailed description set forth below whentaken in conjunction with the drawings in which like referencecharacters identify like elements correspondingly throughout thespecification and drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating aspects of a system andapparatus for providing entertainment experiences in a moving vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating aspects of a server forproviding entertainment experiences in a moving vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating aspects of a clientdevice for providing entertainment experiences in a moving vehicle.

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram showing features of a human-pilotedvehicle equipped for passenger entertainment.

FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram showing features of an autonomous vehicleequipped to passenger entertainment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overview of providingentertainment experiences in a moving vehicle.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are flow diagrams illustrating a process for providingentertainment experiences in a moving vehicle.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual block diagram illustrating components of anapparatus or system for the method as shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is conceptual block diagram showing an apparatus for outputtinghuman-perceivable exterior communication on a moving vehicle forcommunicating to neighboring vehicles and/or pedestrians.

FIG. 10A is a conceptual block diagram illustrating aspects of anexemplary layer composition of a display surface on an exterior of avehicle.

FIG. 10B is a conceptual block diagram illustrating aspects of a userinterface for controlling an exterior display.

FIG. 10C is a conceptual block diagram illustrating aspects of displayoptions for an exterior display.

FIG. 10D is a conceptual block diagram illustrating examples of outputcategories for human-perceivable exterior communication skin andgestures, including audio or video output.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual block diagram illustrating an overview ofoutputting human-perceivable exterior communication on a moving vehiclefor communicating to neighboring vehicles and/or pedestrians.

FIG. 12 shows a diagram for outputting human-perceivable exteriorcommunication on a moving vehicle for communicating to neighboringvehicles and/or pedestrians.

FIG. 13 shows a useful automatic process using AI object detectionalgorithm for outputting human-perceivable exterior communication on amoving vehicle for communicating to neighboring vehicles and/orpedestrians.

FIG. 14 shows a useful automatic process using user selectable outputfor outputting human-perceivable exterior communication on a movingvehicle for communicating to neighboring vehicles and/or pedestrians.

FIG. 15 is a conceptual block diagram illustrating components of anapparatus or system for the method as shown in FIGS. 12-14.

FIG. 16 is a conceptual block diagram illustrating, in plan view,components of an apparatus or system for controlling isolation pods in amotor vehicle.

FIG. 17 is a conceptual block diagram illustrating, in side view,further components of an apparatus or system for controlling isolationpods in a motor vehicle.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating aspects of controlling digitaloutput and control of isolation pods as shown in FIGS. 16-17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects are now described with reference to the drawings. In thefollowing description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specificdetails are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding ofone or more aspects. It may be evident, however, that the variousaspects may be practiced without these specific details. In otherinstances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagramform to facilitate describing these aspects.

Referring to FIG. 1, methods for providing entertainment experiences ina moving vehicle 150, 160 may be implemented in a network 100. Otherarchitectures may also be suitable. In a network architecture, userinput and sensor data can be collected and processed locally and used tocontrol streaming data from a network source. In alternative aspects,audio-video content may be controlled locally, and log data provided toa remote server. The audio-video content, also referred to as digitalcontent, media content or entertainment content, includes digital audio,video, audio-video and mixed reality content, and includes interactiveand non-interactive media programs or games. The media content may alsobe configured to support interactive features resembling video gamefeatures and/or conversation features. In an alternative, or inaddition, the media content may be devoid of interactive features exceptfor responding to data indicative of user's location, preferences,biometric states or affinities.

A suitable network environment 100 for practice of the systems andmethods summarized herein may include various computer servers and othernetwork entities in communication with one another and with one or morenetworks, for example a Wide Area Network (WAN) 102 (e.g., the Internet)and/or a wireless communication network (WCN) 104, for example acellular telephone network using any suitable high-bandwidth wirelesstechnology or protocol, including, for example, cellular telephonetechnologies such as 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), LongTerm Evolution (LTE), 5G fifth-generation cellular wireless, GlobalSystem for Mobile communications (GSM) or Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS), and/or a wireless local area network(WLAN) technology using a protocol such as Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, and equivalents thereof. In anaspect, for example as in a mesh network, the servers and other networkentities (collectively referred to as “nodes”) connect directly,dynamically and non-hierarchically to as many other nodes as possibleand cooperate with one another to efficiently route data from/to clientdevices. This lack of dependency on one node allows for every node toparticipate in the relay of information. Mesh networks can dynamicallyself-organize and self-configure. In another aspect, the servers canconnect to client devices in a server-client structure. In an aspect,some client devices can also act as servers.

Client devices may include, for example, portable passenger devices(PPDs) such as smartphones, smartwatches, notepad computers, laptopcomputers, mixed reality headsets, toy figures, OLED, QLED or otherdisplay controllers, and special purpose media players and servers,herein called vehicle media controllers (VMCs) installed as part ofvehicular electronic systems. VMCs 152, 162 may be coupled to vehiclecontrollers (VCs) 154, 164 as a component of a vehicular control system.The VC may control other functions with various components, for example,engine control, interior climate control, anti-lock braking, navigation,or other functions, and may help coordinate media output of the VMC toother vehicular functions, especially navigation.

Computer servers may be implemented in various architectures. Forexample, the environment 100 may include one or more Web/applicationservers 124 containing documents and application code compatible withWorld Wide Web protocols, including but not limited to HTML, XML, PHPand Javascript documents or executable scripts, for example. Theenvironment 100 may include one or more content servers 126 for holdingdata, for example video, audio-video, audio, and graphical contentcomponents of media content, e.g., media programs or games, forconsumption using a client device, software for execution on or inconjunction with client devices, and data collected from users or clientdevices. Data collected from client devices or users may include, forexample, sensor data and application data. Sensor data may be collectedby a background (not user-facing) application operating on the clientdevice, and transmitted to a data sink, for example, a cloud-basedcontent server 122 or discrete content server 126. Application datameans application state data, including but not limited to records ofuser interactions with an application or other application inputs,outputs or internal states. Applications may include software forselection, delivery or control of media content and supportingfunctions. Applications and data may be served from other types ofservers, for example, any server accessing a distributed blockchain datastructure 128, or a peer-to-peer (P2P) server 116 such as may beprovided by a set of client devices 118, 120, 152 operatingcontemporaneously as micro-servers or clients.

In an aspect, information held by one or more of the content server 126,cloud-based content server 122, distributed blockchain data structure128, or a peer-to-peer (P2P) server 116 may include a data structure ofmedia content production data in an ordered arrangement of media contentcomponents.

As used herein, users (who can also be passengers) are consumers ofmedia content. When actively participating in content via an avatar orother agency, users may also be referred to herein as player actors.Consumers are not always users. For example, a bystander may be apassive viewer who does not interact with the content or influenceselection of content by a client device or server.

The network environment 100 may include various passenger portabledevices, for example a mobile smartphone client 106 of a user who hasnot yet entered either of the vehicles 150, 160. Other client devicesmay include, for example, a notepad client, or a portable computerclient device, a mixed reality (e.g., virtual reality or augmentedreality) client device, or the VMCs 152, 162. PPDs may connect to one ormore networks. For example, the PPDs 112, 114, in the vehicle 160 mayconnect to servers via a vehicle controller 164. In some implementationsthe PPDs 112, 114, in the vehicle 160 may connect to servers via awireless access point 108, the wireless communications network 104 andthe WAN 102. In some such implementations, the VC 164 acts as arouter/modem combination or a mobile wireless access point (WAP). Forfurther example, in a mobile mesh network 116, various client devices(e.g., PPD nodes 118, 120, or VMC 152) may include small radiotransmitters that function as a wireless router. The nodes 118, 120, 152may use the common WiFi standards to communicate wirelessly with clientdevices, and with each other.

FIG. 2 shows a content server 200 for controlling output of mediacontent, which may operate in the environment 100, for example as a VMC152, 162 or content server 122, 126, 128. The server 200 may include oneor more hardware processors 202, 214 (two of one or more shown).Hardware may include firmware. Each of the one or more processors 202,214 may be coupled to an input/output port 216 (for example, a UniversalSerial Bus port or other serial or parallel port) to a source 220 forsensor data indicative of vehicle or travel conditions. Suitable sourcesmay include, for example, Global Positioning System (GPS) or othergeolocation sensors, one or more cameras configuring for capturing roadconditions and/or passenger configurations in the interior of thevehicle 150, one or more microphones for detecting exterior sound andinterior sound, one or more temperature sensors for detecting interiorand exterior temperatures, door sensors for detecting when doors areopen or closed, and any other sensor useful for detecting a travel eventor state of a passenger. Some types of servers, e.g., cloud servers,server farms, or P2P servers, may include multiple instances of discreteservers 200 that cooperate to perform functions of a single server.

The server 200 may include a network interface 218 for sending andreceiving applications and data, including but not limited to sensor andapplication data used for controlling media content as described herein.The content may be served from the server 200 to a client device orstored locally by the client device. If stored local to the clientdevice, the client and server 200 may cooperate to handle sensor dataand other player actor functions. In some embodiments, the client devicemay handle all content control functions and the server 200 may be usedfor tracking only or may not perform any critical function of themethods herein. In other aspects, the server 200 performs contentcontrol functions.

Each processor 202, 214 of the server 200 may be operatively coupled toat least one memory 204 holding functional modules 206, 208, 210, 212 ofan application or applications for performing a method as describedherein. The modules may include, for example, a communication module 206for communicating with client devices and servers. The communicationmodule 206 may include instructions that when executed by the processor202 and/or 214 cause the server to communicate control data, contentdata, and sensor data with a client device via a network or otherconnection. A tracking module 208 may include functions for trackingtravel events using sensor data from the source(s) 220 and/or navigationand vehicle data received through the network interface 218 or othercoupling to a vehicle controller. In some embodiments, the trackingmodule 208 or another module not shown may track emotional responses andother interactive data for one or more passengers, subject to userpermissions and privacy settings.

The modules may further include a journey or trip informationintegration (TII) module 210 that when executed by the processor causesthe server to perform any one or more of determining associations ofmedia content with one or more parameters indicating user-perceivablecharacteristics of the media content, including at least an indicator ofsemantic meaning relevant to one or more travel events. For example, theTII module 210 may determine input parameters including a tripdestination for one or more passengers, current road conditions, andestimated remaining travel duration based on data from the trackingmodule 208, and apply a rules-based algorithm, a heuristic machinelearning algorithm (e.g., a deep neural network) or both, to create oneor more media content identifiers consistent with the input parameters.The TII module 210 may perform other or more detailed operations forintegrating trip information in media content selection as described inmore detail herein below.

The modules may include, for example, a media production orconfiguration process (CPC) module 212. The CPC module 212 may includeinstructions that when executed by the processor 202 and/or 214 causethe server 200 to perform one or more of producing or configuring mediacontent for output by a player device during the trip at least in partby at least one of selecting or configuring ones of the media componentsbased at least in part on one or more of the trip destination and theestimated duration, and further operations as described in more detailherein below. The memory 204 may contain additional instructions, forexample an operating system, and supporting modules.

FIG. 3 shows aspects of a content player device 300 for operating on andcontrolling output of digital media content. In some embodiments, thesame computing device (e.g., device 300) may operate both as a contentplayer device and as a content configuration server, for example, as anode of a mesh network. In such embodiments, the computing device mayalso include functional modules and interface devices as described abovefor the server 200.

For content playing, the apparatus 300 may include a processor 302, forexample a central processing unit, a system-on-a-chip, or any othersuitable microprocessor. The processor 302 may be communicativelycoupled to auxiliary devices or modules of the apparatus 300, using abus or other coupling. Optionally, the processor 302 and its coupledauxiliary devices or modules may be housed within or coupled to ahousing 301, for example, a housing having a form factor of atelevision, active window screen, projector, smartphone, portablecomputing device, wearable goggles, glasses, visor, or other formfactor.

A user interface device 324 may be coupled to the processor 302 forproviding user control input to a media control process. In someimplementations, the process can be configured to convert user controlinput to game commands. In some implementations, the process can beconfigured to control output of digital media content. In some aspects,the process may include outputting video and audio for a conventionalflat screen or projection display device. In some aspects, the mediacontrol process may include outputting audio-video data for an immersivemixed reality content display process operated by a mixed realityimmersive display engine executing on the processor 302. In someaspects, the process may include outputting haptic control data for ahaptic glove, vest, or other wearable; motion simulation control data,or control data for an olfactory output device 377 such as an Olorama™or Sensoryco™ scent generator or equivalent device. In some aspects, themedia control process may include outputting audio-video data for amotorized armature for a toy figure.

The motorized armature 332 may be coupled to the processor 302 via motorcontrol 330, for example, for controlling movements of a toy figure'sfacial expressions, including mouth movement, or body language. Inalternative aspects, the armature 332 may be replaced by anisolator/motion controller 333 as described in connection with FIG. 17for a modular isolation pod, for motion control as described inconnection with FIG. 18.

User control input may include, for example, selections from a graphicaluser interface or other input (e.g., textual or directional commands)generated via a touch screen, keyboard, pointing device (e.g., gamecontroller), microphone, motion sensor, camera, or some combination ofthese or other input devices represented by block 324. Such userinterface device 324 may be coupled to the processor 302 via aninput/output port 326, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) orequivalent port. Control input may also be provided via a sensor 328coupled to the processor 302. A sensor may comprise, for example, amotion sensor (e.g., an accelerometer), a position sensor, a camera orcamera array (e.g., stereoscopic array), a biometric temperature orpulse sensor, a touch (pressure) sensor, an altimeter, a location sensor(for example, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver andcontroller), a proximity sensor, a motion sensor, a smoke or vapordetector, a gyroscopic position sensor, a radio receiver, a multi-cameratracking sensor/controller, an eye-tracking sensor, a microphone or amicrophone array. The sensor or sensors 328 may detect biometric dataused as an indicator of the user's emotional state, for example, facialexpression, skin temperature, pupil dilation, respiration rate, muscletension, nervous system activity, or pulse. In addition, the sensor(s)328 may detect a user's context, for example an identity position, size,orientation and movement of the user's physical environment and ofobjects in the environment, motion or other state of a user interfacedisplay, for example, motion of a virtual-reality headset. The sensor orsensors 328 may generate orientation data for indicating an orientationof the apparatus 300 or a passenger using the apparatus. For example,the sensors 328 may include a camera or image sensor positioned todetect an orientation of one or more of the user's eyes, or to capturevideo images of the user's physical environment or both. In someaspects, a camera, image sensor, or other sensor configured to detect auser's eyes or eye movements may be integrated into the apparatus 300 orinto ancillary equipment coupled to the apparatus 300. The one or moresensors 328 may further include, for example, an interferometerpositioned in the support structure 301 or coupled ancillary equipmentand configured to indicate a surface contour to the user's eyes. The oneor more sensors 328 may further include, for example, a microphone,array or microphones, or other audio input transducer for detectingspoken user commands or verbal and non-verbal audible reactions tooutput of the media content.

The apparatus 300 or a connected server (e.g., server 200) may trackusers' biometric states and media content play history. Play history mayinclude a log-level record of control decisions made in response toplayer actor biometric states and other input. The apparatus 300 or aconnected server (e.g., server 200) may track user actions and biometricresponses across multiple game titles for individuals or cohorts.

Sensor data from the one or more sensors may be processed locally by theprocessor 302 to control display output, and/or transmitted to a server200 for processing by the server in real time, or for non-real-timeprocessing. As used herein, “real time” refers to processing responsiveto user input without any arbitrary delay between inputs and outputs;that is, that reacts as soon as technically feasible. “Non-real time”refers to batch processing or other use of sensor data that is not usedto provide immediate control input for controlling the display, but thatmay control the display after some arbitrary amount of delay.

To facilitate communication with another node of a computer network, forexample the media content server 200, the client 300 may include anetwork interface 322, wired or wireless. Network communication may beused, for example, to enable multiplayer experiences, includingimmersive or non-immersive experiences of media content. The system mayalso be used for other multi-user applications, for example socialnetworking, group entertainment experiences, instructional environments,and so forth. Network communication can also be used for data transferbetween the client and other nodes of the network, for purposesincluding data processing, content delivery, content control, andtracking. The client may manage communications with other network nodesusing a communications module 306 that handles application-levelcommunication needs and lower-level communications protocols, preferablywithout requiring user management.

A display 320 may be coupled to the processor 302, for example via agraphics processing unit (GPU) 318 integrated in the processor 302 or ina separate chip. The display 320 may include, for example, a flat screencolor liquid crystal (LCD) display illuminated by light-emitting diodes(LEDs) or other lamps, a projector driven by an LCD display or by adigital light processing (DLP) unit, a laser projector, or other digitaldisplay device. The display device 320 may be incorporated into avirtual reality headset or other immersive display system. Video outputdriven by a mixed reality display engine operating on the processor 302,or other application for coordinating user inputs with an immersivecontent display and/or generating the display, may be provided to thedisplay device 320 and output as a video display to the user. Similarly,an amplifier/speaker or other audio output transducer 316 may be coupledto the processor 302 via an audio processor 312. Audio output correlatedto the video output and generated by the media player module 308, mediacontent control engine or other application may be provided to the audiotransducer 316 and output as audible sound to the user. The audioprocessor 312 may receive an analog audio signal from a microphone 314and convert it to a digital signal for processing by the processor 302.The microphone can be used as a sensor for detection of biometric stateand as a device for user input of sound commands, verbal commands, orfor social verbal responses to passengers. The audio transducer 316 maybe, or may include, a speaker or piezoelectric transducer integrated tothe apparatus 300. In an alternative or in addition, the apparatus 300may include an audio output port for headphones or other audio outputtransducer mounted ancillary equipment such as a smartphone, VMC, xRheadgear, or equivalent equipment. The audio output device may providesurround sound, multichannel audio, so-called ‘object-oriented audio’,or other audio track output from the media content.

The apparatus 300 may further include a random-access memory (RAM) 304holding program instructions and data for rapid execution or processingby the processor, coupled to the processor 302. When the device 300 ispowered off or in an inactive state, program instructions and data maybe stored in a long-term memory, for example, a non-volatile magnetic,optical, or electronic memory storage device (not shown). Either or bothRAM 304 or the storage device may comprise a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium holding program instructions, that whenexecuted by the processor 302, cause the device 300 to perform a methodor operations as described herein. Program instructions may be writtenin any suitable high-level language, for example, C, C++, C#,JavaScript, PHP, or Java™, and compiled to produce machine-language codefor execution by the processor. The memory 304 may also store data, forexample, audio-video data or games data in a library or buffered duringstreaming from a network node.

Program instructions may be grouped into functional modules 306, 308, tofacilitate coding efficiency and comprehensibility, for example, acommunications module 306 and a media player module 308. The modules,even if discernable as divisions or grouping in source code, are notnecessarily distinguishable as separate code blocks in machine-levelcoding. Code bundles directed toward a specific type of function may beconsidered to comprise a module, regardless of whether or not machinecode on the bundle can be executed independently of other machine code.The modules may be high-level modules only. The media player module 308may perform operations of any method described herein, and equivalentmethods, in whole or in part. Operations may be performed independentlyor in cooperation with another network node or nodes, for example, theserver 200.

In a motor vehicle, the apparatus 300 may provide video content forprojection onto an interior surface of the vehicle as the display 320.For example, in a vehicle 400 shown in FIG. 4A, one or moreceiling-mounted projectors 418, 420, 422 may project media content fromthe apparatus 300 onto corresponding screens 416, 414, 417. In theillustrated configuration, two passengers 410, 412 sitting in apassenger space 404 while a driver 408 occupies a cockpit 402. Thecockpit 402 may be isolated from the passenger space 404 by a sound wall424, which may be a wall of a pod as described in connection with FIGS.16-17 below. The projector 422 may project video from rear-facingcameras of the vehicle 400, showing the rear view for the driver on ascreen facing the driver. A screen for the driver may be placed in frontof the driver or behind the driver (e.g., in lieu of or overlying therear-view window). The projector 420 may project forward media contentfrom the apparatus 300 onto a forward surround screen 414. The projector418 may project rear media content coordinated in time to the forwardmedia content onto the rear screen 416. “Forward” and “rear” arerelative to the passengers' 410, 412 orientations, not the vehicle 400orientation. Passenger and vehicle orientations may be aligned ornon-aligned as shown in FIG. 4A. The rear screen 416 and forward screen414 may be mounted on tracks enabling separation of the screens 414, 416to admit or release passengers, and closure to enable a fuller surroundview, up to and including a full 360° surround view.

In some driverless (e.g., autonomous vehicle) configurations, the soundwall 424, rear view screen 417, projector 422, driver 408 and cockpit402 are omitted, and the entire cabin of the vehicle 400 may function asa passenger entertainment space 404. In some driverless embodiments, therear projection screen 416 may be a surround screen like the forwardscreen 414. In an alternative, each of the walled portions may providedmay modular sound-isolating pods that can be placed in and removed fromvehicles using a mechanical robot, for example at a transfer station.

Instead of or in addition to projection screens, electronic displayscreens may be used for display 320, for example, LCD or OLED screens invarious resolutions, color spaces and dynamic ranges. In some driverlessvehicles, the cabin can be darkened so either projectors or electronicscreens can be easily visible. FIG. 4B shows a configuration of anautonomous vehicle 450 in which the window screens are replaced byelectronic (e.g., LCD/LED/OLED/MEMS) screens 452, including a frontscreen 454, right side screens 456, 458 (one on each door) left sidescreens 460, 462 (one on each door) and a rear screen 464. One or moreof the electronic screens 452 may be transparent or partiallytransparent LCD or OLED panels (also called see-through displays) foraugmenting the natural view of the vehicle exterior, may have an opaquebacking for virtual reality, or may include an electronic or mechanicalshutter to transition between opaque and transparent or partiallytransparent states. In some implementations, one or multiple LCD layersmay be used as an electronic shutter to transition between opaque andtransparent states. The apparatus 300 or a VMC 152) may be coupled tothe electronic screens 452 for controlling video output. One or morepassengers 468 in the cabin 466 may view video content as if lookingthrough the window, in see-through or opaque modes. In alternativeembodiments, the vehicle windows are equipped with mechanical orelectronic shutters to darken the cabin, and the apparatus 300 outputsthe video content to the electronic screens in an interior to thevehicle, or to projectors as shown in FIG. 4A. The foregoing aspects mayin some embodiments be provided in the walls of isolation pods asdescribed further in connection with FIGS. 16-17. In an alternative orin addition, each of the passengers 468 may play the media content on apersonal computing device, for example a smartphone, notepad computer ormixed reality headset.

In addition to conventional 2D output or 3D output for display ontwo-dimensional (flat or curved) screens (e.g., by televisions, mobilescreens, or projectors), the media content output and control methodsdisclosed herein may be used with virtual reality (VR), augmentedreality (AR) or mixed reality output devices (collectively referred toherein as xR). Some immersive xR stereoscopic display devices include atablet support structure made of an opaque lightweight structuralmaterial (e.g., a rigid polymer, aluminum or cardboard) configured forsupporting and allowing for removable placement of a portable tabletcomputing or smartphone device including a high-resolution displayscreen, for example, an LCD or OLED display. Other immersive xRstereoscopic display devices use a built-in display screen in a similarframe. Either type may be designed to be worn close to the user's face,enabling a wide field of view using a small screen size such as insmartphone. The support structure may hold a pair of lenses in relationto the display screen. The lenses may be configured to enable the userto comfortably focus on the display screen which may be heldapproximately one to three inches from the user's eyes. The device mayfurther include a viewing shroud (not shown) coupled to the supportstructure and made of a soft, flexible or other suitable opaque materialfor form fitting to the user's face and blocking outside light. Theimmersive VR stereoscopic display device may be used to providestereoscopic display output, providing a more immersive perception of 3Dspace for the user.

FIG. 5 shows an overview 500 of providing entertainment experiences in amoving vehicle. The method 500 may be performed by one or more computerprocessors of a server (e.g., the apparatus 300) in electroniccommunication with devices at the connected vehicles and servers atpoints of interests along travel routes, and/or an independent servernot in electronic communication with the connected vehicles and serversat points of interests. At block 502, the one or more processors, at acontent server (e.g., apparatus 200), maintain data structure of programfor non-navigational social interaction in a program database. In anaspect, programs for non-navigational social interaction may include,for example, social networking applications (Facebook™, Twitter™, etc.),and multiplayer audio and video games, in each case adapted to beresponsive to the current trip, vehicle progress along the trip,expected arrival time, or other data calculated from the vehicle's statein relation to a defined trip. At block 504, the one or more processorsmaintain a data structure of user profile data as described above in auser profile database.

At block 506, the one or more processors, may receive or determineinformation about a journey when a journey is initiated. In an aspect, adevice or apparatus in the vehicle may initiate the journey. In anotheraspect, the device or apparatus in the vehicle may sense that a journeyis initiated. Information about the journey may include at least anorigin, a destination, and points of interest on the route. Otherinformation may include journey or trip purpose, vehicle physicallocation/city, and travel context such as weather, rain or snow.

At block 508, the one or more processors may access a program fornon-navigational social interaction with one or more passengers duringthe journey, based at least in part on sensing or receiving informationthat the journey has been initiated, and on one or more identifiers forthe journey. In an aspect, the sensing may include receivinginformation, for example, indicating the starting of the engine of thevehicle, the movement of the vehicle along a route, or from user input.

At block 510, one or more processors at the device or apparatus in thevehicle may execute the program for non-navigational social interactionin synchrony with progress of the journey.

At block 512, the one or more processors at the device or apparatus inthe vehicle, based on the execution of the program for socialinteraction, may cause one or more output device to outputhuman-perceivable interactive social behavior relating to the journey.In various aspects, the human-perceivable interactive social behaviormay include speech and outputted via audio signal sent to an audiotransducer (e.g., transducer 316 in FIG. 3). The human-perceivableinteractive social behavior may include facial expression or bodylanguage and outputted via video signal sent to an electronic displayscreen (e.g., display 320 in FIG. 3). In an aspect, the facialexpression or body language may be outputted via motor control signalssent to a motorized armature (e.g., armature 332 in FIG. 3).

FIG. 6 illustrates a useful automatic process 700 for providingentertainment experiences in a moving vehicle. In an aspect of thepresent disclosure, the process 700 may be performed by one or moreprocessors at a server (e.g., the apparatus 200) and/or at a portabledevice (e.g., the apparatus 300). At 702, a processor maintains a datastructure of programs for social interaction data in a first database, adata structure of user profile data in a second database. In someaspects, the processor may also maintain a data structure of vehicleprofile data in a third database. The data for programs for socialinteraction may include analog or digital audio-video work, for exampleentertainment work, instructional, advertisement, gaming, socialnetworking, and so on, of a non-navigational nature. In an aspect, theprocessor may maintain the first, second and third database as separatedatabases, or in any combination. In an aspect, computer process 702 maybe performed at a server, and subsequent processes may be performed at aportable device.

At 704, the processor senses that a journey has been initiated at and/orfor the vehicle. In an aspect, the processor may receive sensor signalvia one or more sensors 328 (FIG. 3), for example, indicating thevehicle's engine started, or the vehicle started to move. In an aspect,the processor may receive signal from an application or from anotherin-vehicle device. In an aspect, the sensing or receiving of signal mayinclude information of the journey. In an aspect, the sensing orreceiving of signal may include identification of the journey, fromwhich the processor can determine or retrieve information of thejourney. The information may include at least an origin and destinationof the journey. Other information may include points of interest alongthe journey, trip purpose, vehicle physical location/city, and travelcontext such as weather conditions.

At 706, the processor accesses or retrieves a program for socialinteraction. The program for non-navigational social interaction may bedetermined or selected based at least in part on the sensing, forexample, based on the sensor information (e.g., vehicle status, vehiclelocation, passenger condition, passenger location, etc.), and in part onone or more identifiers for the journey, for example, origin,destination, and so on. In an aspect, the program for non-navigationalsocial interaction may also be determined or selected based at least inpart on profile(s) of the passenger(s).

In an aspect, if the program for non-navigational social interaction isa multiplayer game, the processor may determine or select the programfor social interaction based in part on multiple user profiles ofmultiple passengers.

At 708, the processor executes the program for social interaction insynchrony with the progress of the journey. In an aspect, the processormay receive inputs from one or more sensors and other applications tomonitor the progress of the journey. In an aspect, the processor maytemporarily pause the execution of the program at geographical points onthe route, or when the vehicle is in stationary position.

At 710, the processor, as it executes the program for socialinteraction, causes at least one output device to outputhuman-perceivable interactive social behavior relating to the journey.The types of human-perceivable interactive social behavior may beunlimited. For the sake of examples, the behavior may include emotionalreactions to events or geographical points on the route, to discussionsor social interaction.

FIG. 7 shows additional operation 750 that may be included in the method700 and performed by one or more processors performing the processes756-766, in any operative order, or substantially simultaneously. At752, the one or more processors execute the program for non-navigationalsocial interaction until it ends (see also process 708 in FIG. 6). Asthe one or more processors execute the program, they may continuouslyreceive data on the progress of the journey 750, including sensor data772, such as current locations and events. at 754. In an aspect, theprogram may execute as an instructional guide or a tour guide. In thisaspect, the one or more processors may coordinate the progress of thejourney, the location of the vehicle to cause at least one output deviceto output human-perceivable interactive social behavior relating to thejourney, for example, audio, video, or mechanical output providingeducational or tour information, historical, cultural and entertainmentinformation about the current location or event (see also process 710 inFIG. 6). At 756, 758 and 760. The one or more processors determinewhether to output an audio output, a video output, a mechanical output,or a combination thereof. The processes 756, 758 and 760 may beperformed in any order and combination, or substantially simultaneously.At 756, if an audio output is determined, the one or more processorssend an audio signal to an audio transducer. At 758, if a video outputis determined, the one or more processors send a video signal to adisplay device. At 760, if a mechanical output is determined, the one ormore processors send a motor signal to a motor controller.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual block diagram illustrating components of anapparatus or system 800 for providing entertainment experiences in amoving vehicle as described herein, according to one embodiment. Asdepicted, the apparatus or system 800 may include functional blocks thatcan represent functions implemented by a processor, software, orcombination thereof (e.g., firmware).

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the apparatus or system 800 may comprise anelectrical component 802 for maintaining data structure for program fornon-navigational social interaction data and data structure for userprofiles in one or more databases. The component 802 may be, or mayinclude, a means for said maintaining. Said means may include theprocessor 820 coupled to the memory 824, storage 826 which may store theone or more databases, and to the network interface 822, the processorexecuting an algorithm based on program instructions stored in thememory. Such algorithm may include a sequence of more detailedoperations, for example, as described in connection with block 702 ofFIG. 6 above.

The apparatus or system 800 may further comprise an electrical component804 for sensing initiation of a journey and determining or receivinginformation on the journey. The component 804 may be, or may include, ameans for said sensing, receiving and determining. Said means mayinclude one or more sensors as described herein, the processor 820coupled to the memory 824, storage 826, and to the network interface822, the processor executing an algorithm based on program instructionsstored in the memory. Such algorithm may include a sequence of moredetailed operations, for example, receiving sensor signal via one ormore sensors indicating the vehicle's engine started, or the vehiclestarted to move, or signal from an application or from anotherin-vehicle device, as described in connection with block 704 of FIG. 6above.

The apparatus or system 800 may further comprise an electrical component806 for accessing program for non-navigational social interaction withone or more passengers during the journey based at least in part on thesensing and on one or more identifiers for the journey. The component806 may be, or may include, a means for said accessing. Said means mayinclude the processor 820 coupled to the memory 824, storage 826, and tothe network interface 822, the processor executing an algorithm based onprogram instructions stored in the memory. In an aspect, the informationmay be received from external systems via the network interface 822.Such algorithm may include a sequence of more detailed operations, forexample, as described in connection with block 706 of FIG. 6 above.

The apparatus or system 800 may further comprise an electrical component808 for executing a program for non-navigational social interaction insynchrony with progress of the journey. The component 808 may be, or mayinclude, a means for said executing. Said means may include theprocessor 820 coupled to the memory 824, storage 826, and to the networkinterface 822, the processor executing an algorithm based on programinstructions stored in the memory. Such algorithm may include a sequenceof more detailed operations, for example, as described in connectionwith block 708 of FIG. 6 above.

The apparatus or system 800 may further comprise an electrical component810 for causing at least one output device to output human-perceivableinteractive social behavior relating to the journey. The component 808may be, or may include, a means for said causing. Said means may includethe processor 820 coupled to the memory 824, storage 826, and to thenetwork interface 822, the processor executing an algorithm based onprogram instructions stored in the memory. Such algorithm may include asequence of more detailed operations, for example, as described inconnection with block 710 of FIG. 6 above.

As shown, the apparatus or system 800 may include a processor component820 having one or more processors, which may include a digital signalprocessor. The processor 820, in such case, may be in operativecommunication with the modules 802-810 via a bus 830 or othercommunication coupling, for example, a network. The processor 820 mayinitiate and schedule the functions performed by electrical components802-810.

In related aspects, the apparatus or system 800 may include a networkinterface module 822 operable for communicating with any externalstorage device, with external systems or servers, or connected vehiclesover a computer network. In further related aspects, the apparatus orsystem 800 may optionally include a module for storing information, suchas, for example, a memory device/module 824. The computer readablemedium or the memory module 824 may be operatively coupled to the othercomponents of the apparatus 800 via the bus 830 or the like. The memorymodule 824 may be adapted to store computer readable instructions anddata for effecting the processes and behavior of the modules 802-810,and subcomponents thereof, or the processor 820, or one or more steps ofthe method 700 or the method 1800 described in connection with FIG. 18.The memory module 824 may retain instructions for executing functionsassociated with the modules 802-810. While shown as being external tothe memory 824, it is to be understood that the modules 802-810 canexist within the memory 824.

In another aspect, animated imagery and/or audio output is provided on avehicle exterior at controlled times. Vehicle customization andexpressions of pop culture and social interests have continued to gaintraction since the appearance of the “bumper sticker.” With the rolloutof AVs, a new distribution avenue is created to express and shareinterests with a pool of people within the same geographical areawithout becoming a distracting road hazard. To mitigate hazards, an AV'sgestures further communicates its intention in a friendly manner. Inaddition, a vehicle can emit a warning gesture to other AVs andpedestrians when a safety hazard is observed.

A processor may generate and display these types of exteriorcommunications on the exterior of the AV. The content displayed mayeither pull data from a shared network of other AVs using a Venn Diagramof shared social interests at a specific location, by using a presetuser preferred selection, through a promotional branded offering, orbased on any other desired combination of input factors.

Branded Content displayed on the AV's exterior may be available forpromotional use to promote an upcoming release and/or product. Forexample, if a new DC film is about to released, and two AV's pass eachother who both happen to be DC fans, one AV may have the mood skin ofBatman's face mask emitting light while the other AV has dark lightemitting resembling the Batmobile.

For example, the user may use a touch screen display located inside thevehicle to select which mode or skin they would like their vehicle toemit, for example, a character from a motion picture (e.g. Batman, TheFlash, Teen Titans, Aquaman). As the vehicle is turned on and startsprogressing down a street, it may reflect a stationary Batman mask.However, if another vehicle merges too close to an AV displaying a‘Batman’ skin, the first AV may either automatically (through the AIobject detection machine based learning algorithm), decide to gesture a“Watch Out” visual in Batman's facial expression to communicate to theother “at fault” party. In an alternative, or in addition, the processormay alert the passenger the potential safety hazard and accept aninstruction to deliver a visual warning to the other party or vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 9, an apparatus is shown for outputtinghuman-perceivable exterior communication on a moving vehicle forcommunicating to neighboring vehicles and/or pedestrians. In an aspect,the apparatus may include one or more processor located interior to thevehicle and one or more display located exterior to the vehicle. In anaspect, the apparatus may include an electronic display that offersaturated controllable light for exterior surfaces that are visibleduring broad daylight or at nighttime. For example, the apparatus mayinclude an Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (“OLED”) (or comparable LED)display 920 and/or screen or LED lighting systems that offer saturatedcontrollable light for exterior surfaces during broad daylight. In someimplementations, the electronic display may interface with a projector(e.g., a rear focused projector) placed within the vehicle.

In an aspect, the exterior display may include an OLED (or comparableLED) screen 920 to be molded onto the exterior 952 of the vehicle. Someimplementations of this device makes it possible to reach dark blacklevels from ultra-thin screens and can include an additional white pixelalong the red, green and blue sub-pixels to deliver a variety of colors.OLED's are also lighter, thinner and have greater picture quality thatdelivers contrast and depth. Additionally, OLED screens may be flexibleand can be curved, and rolled up. This feature may be advantageous whenintegrating the OLED screen into the exterior 952 of a curved surface ofthe vehicle.

In an aspect, the exterior display 920 may include Quantum-DotLight-Emitting Diodes (“QLED”) screen or a color changing LED panellighting system that offers high intensity colored light viewable inbroad daylight may be installed on the exterior of the vehicle.

The vehicle may include one or more sensors, for example, sensor 902toward the front (anterior), sensors 904 and 908 on the sides, andsensor 906 toward the rear (posterior). In an aspect, the sensors mayinclude cameras and/or motion detectors. The sensors provide input aboutexternal objects in proximity to the vehicle to the apparatus. In anaspect, the proximity may be predefined. The apparatus may also use GPSnavigation for input about external objects in proximity to the vehicle.

In an aspect, the apparatus may also include one or more display monitorpositioned in the interior of the vehicle. For example, display device954 toward the front, display devices 956, 958, 960 and 962 on thesides, and display devices 964 toward the rear. These display devicesmay be similar to screens 452-462 described in FIG. 4B. The apparatusmay display the external object(s), or information on the externalobject(s) on the one or more display devices.

In an aspect, the apparatus may also include one or more audio speakers(not shown) strategically positioned such that their audio output willbe audible to passengers in the neighboring vehicle(s) and/orpedestrians, further discussed in connection with FIG. 10D. In anaspect, the one or more processor or the apparatus may be, or may partof the vehicle controller 902.

FIG. 10A shows an example composition of the display screen 920,comprising stacked layers including a backlight, a diffuser, one or morepolarizers, one or more glass, polymer or crystal separators orprotective layers, and LCD layer, a screen layer for pixel definition.In an OLED device, the LCD layer may be replaced by an emissive LEDlayer and the backlight layer omitted. The layers may be modified oromitted, and additional layers added, as known in the art of displayscreens. A user interface, for example a touchscreen, may be positionedinside the vehicle 900 as an auxiliary interior display 922. In analternative, or in addition, a touchscreen controller may be added to amain display 954 to permit user input, or a microphone may be used foraudio input. The interior display 922 may output control options forselection by a user.

FIG. 10B shows an example of a control option display 930 on an interiormonitor 922, displaying external object(s) 932 detected in thesurrounding areas in proximity to the vehicle. The display 930 mayinclude options 934 for enabling user input of an “engage” or “ignore”(do not engage) options in response to external video. In analternative, an automatic algorithm based on predetermined rules,machine learning, or both.

FIG. 10C portrays a further display layout 940 providing the user with achoice to interact with objects outside of the vehicle. The user mayeither manually decide to interact with the images through the displayskin 946 of the AV 900 based on the internal display's preset selectionof visual choices 942 (e.g. Branded Skins, emotions, or gestures). Theprocessor may provide more detailed options 944 for motions andgestures, for example, a smile, frown, shrug, tear, and so forth. In analternative, or in addition, the vehicle processor may cause theexternal display 946 to operate and communicate independently based onAI machine-based learning behaviors. In the illustrated example, thecommunication possibilities are divided into four sets of categories944: Happy, Annoyed, Apathetic and Sad. Additional and differentemotional categories 944 may also be defined. In an aspect, availablecategories may vary depending on user preferences and type of externalstimuli that the response is intended for. For example, responsecategories 944 may differ depending on whether the intended targets areprimarily pedestrians, people in other vehicle, another driver, friends,acquaintances or strangers, and so forth.

The output display may include, for example, a branded skin 946 selectedbased on the type of social interaction that is desired. For example,for promotional or recreational purposes, a branded skin (e.g. Batman'sface mask), may be displayed on the display 920 on the exterior of theAV.

FIG. 10D shows a similar example using multiple output modes 971including audio, visual, or audio-visual output. The categories 972 arethe same as shown in FIG. 10C and similar considerations apply, e.g.,reaction output category 972 may include Happy, Annoyed, Apathetic andSad. The vehicle processor may output human-perceivable exteriorcommunication images and gestures that can be display on and outputtedfrom on a moving vehicle for communicating to neighboring vehiclesand/or pedestrians. The categories may include programmed audio, visual,or audio-visual output. For example, the apparatus may associate theHappy reaction with a Smile visual gesture, Annoyed with a frown visualgesture, Apathy with a shrug visual gesture, and Sad with a tear visualgesture, adding sound effects and speech as appropriate.

In an aspect, the vehicle processor may associate the reaction category972 to a sound category 974, a combination category 976 of combinedvisual and audio communications, and a visual image category 978. In anaspect, based on the reaction, which can be manually selected by apassenger or determined by an AI algorithm, the apparatus may calculateand navigate through the associated categories to output the intendedexterior communication. As an example, when reaction at vehicle 980 isAnnoyed, the apparatus may adjust the skin image with a face of Batmanto show a frown 982 as well as outputting the sound “Hey, watch out!”984.

Accordingly, the foregoing may be used to accomplish placement,manipulation and configuration of an OLED and/or QLED/LED display to theexterior of an AV with a built in rear focused light projector or LEDpanel lighting to display a variety of colorful expressive exteriors inthe form of smiles, scowls, waves or other humanlike gestures tocommunicate with other AV's and pedestrians. External camera sensorsplaced on the exterior of the AV track, capture and display exteriorobjects (e.g vehicles, pedestrians), and casts them to internal monitorslocated inside the AV. Once displayed on an internal screen, an objectdetection algorithm allows a passenger control over engagement eitherthrough manual selection from a set of preset options of audio and/orvisual communications, or the AV may use machine based AI learning todetermine what types of external communications are needed throughoutthe course of travel.

FIG. 11 shows an overview 1000 of outputting human-perceivable exteriorcommunication on a moving vehicle for communicating to neighboringvehicles and/or pedestrians. The method 1000 may be performed by one ormore computer processors in the vehicle. At the process 1002, the one ormore processors maintain data structure of audio visuals for exteriorcommunications. In an aspect, the audio-visual data may include brandedcontent for promotional use, content based on user preferences, and/orcontent for use by machine-based AI object detection algorithms. In anaspect, the data may be downloaded from a remote server external to thevehicle.

At the process 1004, the one or more processors sense the initiation ofa journey. In an aspect, the sensing may include receiving information,for example, indicating the starting of the engine of the vehicle, themovement of the vehicle along a route, or from user input. At theprocess 1006, the one or more processors receive or determine, andoutput one or more exterior communication outputs. At this time, theexterior output may include a “skin” image for display on the exteriordisplay of the vehicle. In an aspect, the skin image may be a brandedimage for promotional use, or an image based on user preferences.

At the process 1008, the one or more processors receive informationabout external object(s) in proximity of the vehicle. The informationmay include images of neighboring vehicles or pedestrians. At theprocess 1010, as described in further detail in FIGS. 10A to 14, the oneor more processors may display the information about the externalobject(s), and receive a human-perceivable exterior communicationselected by a passenger to output, in reaction to the information aboutthe external object(s). In an aspect, the one or more processors maydetermine, using machine-based AI object detection algorithms, thehuman-perceivable exterior communication in reaction to the informationabout the external object(s). The human-perceivable outputs may includevisual display, or audio output, or audio together with visual output.At the process 1012, the one or more processors output thehuman-perceivable exterior communication.

FIG. 12 illustrates a useful automatic process 1100 for outputtinghuman-perceivable exterior communication on a moving vehicle forcommunicating to neighboring vehicles and/or pedestrians. The method1100 may be performed by one or more computer processors in the vehicle.The processes 1104 to 1106 may be like the processes 1002 to 1006 inFIG. 11. At the process 1102, the one or more processors sense theinitiation of a journey. At the process 1104, the one or more processorsreceive or determine one or more exterior communication outputs. At thistime, the exterior output may include a “skin” image for display on theexterior display of the vehicle. At the process 1106, the one or moreprocessors output the exterior communication, or skin. As the vehicleprogresses on the journey, wherein determining at the process 1108 thatthe journey has not ended, the one or more processors receive, at theprocess 1110, information about external object(s) in proximity of thevehicle.

At the process 1112, in an aspect, as described in further detail inFIG. 14, the one or more processors receive a selected human-perceivableexterior communication gesture. In another aspect, as described infurther detail in FIG. 13, the one or more processors determine/decideon a human-perceivable exterior communication gesture. And at theprocess 1114, the one or more processors output the selectedhuman-perceivable exterior communication gesture. For example, the oneor more processors produce a sound, or display an emotional image on theexterior display, or both. FIG. 10D shows more examples of selectableoutputs.

FIG. 13 illustrates a useful automatic process 1120 for outputtinghuman-perceivable exterior communication on a moving vehicle forcommunicating to neighboring vehicles and/or pedestrians. The method1120 may be performed by one or more computer processors in the vehicle.Similar to the process 1110, at the process 1122, the one or moreprocessors receive, and optionally display, information about externalobject(s) in proximity of the vehicle. At the process 1124, the one ormore processors use a machine-based AI object detection learningalgorithm to identify (e.g., recognize) and analyze the externalobject(s) and decide whether a human-perceivable exterior gesture shouldbe output. At the process 1126, the one or more processors output the AIdecided human-perceivable exterior communication.

FIG. 14 illustrates another useful automatic process 1130 for outputtinghuman-perceivable exterior communication on a moving vehicle forcommunicating to neighboring vehicles and/or pedestrians. Like theprocess 1122, at the process 1132, the one or more processors receiveinformation about external object(s) in proximity of the vehicle. In anaspect, at the process 1134, the one or more processors displayinformation about external object(s) on one or more of the internalmonitors inside the vehicle, to inform or alert the passenger(s) to theexternal object(s), for example an approaching vehicle or pedestrianwhich are in close proximity to the vehicle. In an aspect, at theprocess 1136, the one or more processors may also display selectablehuman-perceivable exterior communication gestures that the passenger(s)may select in reaction to the external object(s). For example, aselectable exterior communication gesture may be an audio to alert theapproaching vehicle that it is too close, or an annoying image, or both.At the process 1138, the one or more processors receive a selectedexterior communication gesture. And at the process 1140, the one or moreprocessors output the selected exterior communication gesture.

FIG. 15 is a conceptual block diagram illustrating components of anapparatus or system 1500 for outputting human-perceivable exteriorcommunication on a moving vehicle for communicating to neighboringvehicles and/or pedestrians as described herein, according to oneembodiment. As depicted, the apparatus or system 1500 may includefunctional blocks that can represent functions implemented by aprocessor, software, or combination thereof (e.g., firmware).

As illustrated in FIG. 15, the apparatus or system 1500 may comprise anelectrical component 1502 for maintaining data structure foraudio-visual communications in one or more databases. The component 1502may be, or may include, a means for said maintaining. Said means mayinclude the processor 1520 coupled to the memory 1524, storage 1526which may store the one or more databases, and to the network interface1522, the processor executing an algorithm based on program instructionsstored in the memory. Such algorithm may include a sequence of moredetailed operations, for example, maintaining branded content forpromotional use, content based on user preferences, and/or content foruse by machine-based AI object detection algorithms, as described inconnection with block 1002 of FIG. 11 above.

The apparatus or system 1500 may further comprise an electricalcomponent 1504 for sensing the initiation of a journey. The component1504 may be, or may include, a means for said sensing. Said means mayinclude one or more sensors as described herein, the processor 1520coupled to the memory 1524, storage 1526, and to the network interface1522, the processor executing an algorithm based on program instructionsstored in the memory. Such algorithm may include a sequence of moredetailed operations, for example, receiving sensor signal via one ormore sensors indicating the vehicle's engine started, or the vehiclestarted to move, or signal from an application or from anotherin-vehicle device, as described in connection with block 1004 of FIG. 11and block 1102 of FIG. 12 above.

The apparatus or system 1500 may further comprise an electricalcomponent 1506 for receiving or determining, and outputting exteriorcommunication display. The component 1506 may be, or may include, ameans for said receiving or determining, and outputting. Said means mayinclude the processor 1520 coupled to the memory 1524, storage 1526, andto the network interface 1522, the processor executing an algorithmbased on program instructions stored in the memory. Such algorithm mayinclude a sequence of more detailed operations, for example, receivingor determining, and outputting a “skin” image for display on theexterior display of the vehicle, as described in connection with block1006 of FIG. 11 and block 1106 of FIG. 12 above.

The apparatus or system 1500 may further comprise an electricalcomponent 1508 for receiving information on external objects. Thecomponent 1508 may be, or may include, a means for said receiving. Saidmeans may include the processor 1520 coupled to the memory 1524, storage1526, and to the network interface 1522, the processor executing analgorithm based on program instructions stored in the memory. Suchalgorithm may include a sequence of more detailed operations, forexample, receiving images of neighboring vehicles or pedestrians, asdescribed in connection with block 1008 of FIG. 11, block 1110 of FIG.12, block 1122 of FIG. 13 and block 1132 of FIG. 14 above.

The apparatus or system 1500 may further comprise an electricalcomponent 1510 for receiving or determining human-perceivable exteriorcommunication gestures. The component 1510 may be, or may include, ameans for said receiving or determining. Said means may include theprocessor 1520 coupled to the memory 1524, storage 1526, and to thenetwork interface 1522, the processor executing an algorithm based onprogram instructions stored in the memory. Such algorithm may include asequence of more detailed operations, for example, receiving ahuman-perceivable exterior communication gesture selected by a passengeror determining, using machine-based AI object detection algorithms, thehuman-perceivable exterior communication gesture, as described inconnection with block 1010 of FIG. 11, block 1112 of FIG. 12, block 1124of FIG. 13 and block 1138 of FIG. 14 above.

The apparatus or system 1500 may further comprise an electricalcomponent 1512 for outputting the human-perceivable exteriorcommunication gestures. The component 1512 may be, or may include, ameans for said outputting. Said means may include exterior display,speakers, the processor 1520 coupled to the memory 1524, storage 1526,and to the network interface 1522, the processor executing an algorithmbased on program instructions stored in the memory. Such algorithm mayinclude a sequence of more detailed operations, for example, outputtingan isolated sound, visual image(s) or a combination thereof, asdescribed in connection with block 1012 of FIG. 11, block 1114 of FIG.12, block 1126 of FIG. 13 and block 1140 of FIG. 14 above.

As shown, the apparatus or system 1500 may include a processor component1520 having one or more processors, which may include a digital signalprocessor. The processor 1520, in such case, may be in operativecommunication with the modules 1502-1512 via a bus 1530 or othercommunication coupling, for example, a network. The processor 1520 mayinitiate and schedule the functions performed by electrical components1502-1512.

In related aspects, the apparatus or system 1500 may include a networkinterface module 1522 operable for communicating with any externalstorage device, with external systems or servers, or connected vehiclesover a computer network. In further related aspects, the apparatus orsystem 1500 may optionally include a module for storing information,such as, for example, a memory device/module 1524. The computer readablemedium or the memory module 1524 may be operatively coupled to the othercomponents of the apparatus 1500 via the bus 1530 or the like. Thememory module 1524 may be adapted to store computer readableinstructions and data for effecting the processes and behavior of themodules 1502-1512, and subcomponents thereof, or the processor 1520, orone or more steps of the methods 1000-1130. The memory module 1524 mayretain instructions for executing functions associated with the modules1502-1512. While shown as being external to the memory 1524, it is to beunderstood that the modules 1502-1512 can exist within the memory 1524.

FIG. 16 shows components of an apparatus or vehicular system 1600 forusing or controlling isolation pods in a motor vehicle 1621. FIG. 17shows additional components of the apparatus or system 1600, includingfurther details of an isolation pod 1605. In the illustrated example,the vehicle 1621 is van designed to carry six isolation pods 1601, 1603,1605, 1607, 1609, 1611. The vehicle 1620 may be autonomously piloted (asshown), may be designed for a human driver, or may support bothautonomous and manual driving modes. The isolation pods may be builtinto and fixed to the vehicle 1621 or may be designed for insertion andremoval into the van using handling equipment, manual or robotic, duringordinary operation. Although the isolation pods 1601, 1603, 1605, 1607,1609, 1611 are shown as cuboids for illustrative simplicity, they may beshaped in various configurations to optimize interior use and exteriorhandling. For example, their front, side and upper surfaces may becurved and integrated into a seamless display surface that enhancesimmersive viewing. As illustrated, each isolation pod includes viewingpanels separated by bends. For example, referring to pod 1605 in bothFIGS. 16 and 17, an isolation pod 1605 enclosure may comprise a frontpanel 1617, a rear panel 1619, a right panel 1618, a left panel 1616,and a roof panel 1622, each configured for visual display (e.g., as anelectronic display screen or projection surface for a video projector).The pod 1605 may include a structural floor 1623 that is not used forvisual display.

The display panels 1616, 1617, 1618, 1619, and 1622 may be supported bywalls made of any suitable combination of structural andsound-insulating materials. Each of the pods may be provided with aventilation and climate control system, which may be configured forcoupling to a ventilation and climate control system of the vehicle1621. In an alternative, or in addition, each isolation pod may includean independent ventilation and climate control system for use in thevehicle or when separated from the vehicle. In some embodiments, thepods when separated from the vehicle can function as a sound andtemperature-insulated entertainment pod in a stationary mode.

The vehicle 1621 may include a vehicle controller 1614 for communicatingwith and in some cases controlling digital content for presentation ineach of the isolation pods 1601, 1603, 1605, 1607, 1609, 1611. Each ofthe pods may include a corresponding pod controller 1602, 1604, 1606,1608, 1610 and 1612, each of which may be configured as a content playerdevice 300 (FIG. 3) including provisions for content output (e.g.,visual, audio, tactile, olfactory) as herein described. In addition tocontent control and output, each pod controller 1602, 1604, 1606, 1608,1610 and 1612 may control a mechanical motion system for itscorresponding pod. In an alternative, a vehicle controller 1614 mayperform some or all functions of the pod controllers. The vehiclecontroller 1614 may be coupled to the pod controllers vial a wirelesslink 1624 or by a wire harness (not shown). The vehicle controller 1614may be coupled to one or more sensors 1620 that provide signalsindicating vehicle speed, location, external views, vibration,acceleration, noise, engine states, and other information which may beused as input to an output control process by the pod controllers. Inaddition, each of the pod controllers 1602, 1604, 1606, 1608, 1610 and1612 and the vehicle controller may be coupled via their own wirelesslinks (e.g., cellular digital data or satellite links) to a server 200in a system 100 (FIGS. 1 and 2) in which the isolation pod controllersact as client devices capable of functions as herein described.

A client device (112, 114, 118, 120, 300, 1606) configured as a podcontroller in an isolation pod may service output modalities that areenhanced by the pod's physical structure. For example, an isolation podmay be optimized for surround screen output, using projectors, LCDscreens, or OLED screens. Surround screens may be used for immersiveoutput and for new ways of displaying comics, games, live events orvideos. For example, the surround screen modalities may includedisplaying simultaneous action on different panels, placing the viewerin the middle of action or scene (immersive); showing related storyelements happening at different places and times (parallel narratives);showing alternative renderings or viewpoints for artistic effect(spatial layering); or scrolling time-coordinated past, present, futureviews across multiple panels or portions of a pod's surround screens(time scrolling).

In an aspect, an isolation pod 1605 may be used inside a vehicle orremoved from a vehicle as a personal “escape room” for entertainment,work, study, meditation, online activity, exercise, competitive gaming,or rest. A larger, multi-passenger pod may function as a familyentertainment room, a workplace meeting room, classroom, or exercisestudio. In an alternative, virtual presence methods may be used tosimulate a meeting room by digital communication and display betweensingle-passenger pods. Social experiences in pods may include, forexample sharing experiences from a day together, such as images andvideos collected by mobile device application. In other embodiments, theisolation pod may be used to simulate an experience of being in animaginary context, for example, a spaceship or superhero car, or acharacter in a drama.

Referring to FIG. 17, a seat 1640 or other passenger support in theisolation pod 1605, or the entirely of the isolation pod 1605, may besupported by a motion isolation and control frame 1654 driven by amotion control system 1650 controlled by a client device/pod controller300/1606. The pod 1605 may be further equipped with “4D” output devices,e.g., tactile interfaces and aroma generators 377 for greater immersion.The client device/pod controller 300/1606 may include one or more outputports for driving portable equipment, for example, a tactile suit orvest, or a virtual reality headgear. In addition, or in an alternative,device/pod controller 300/1606 may include one or more output ports fordriving a noise canceling audio system, or personalized seats andrestraints. In an embodiment, the client device/pod controller 300/1606may personalize displays and other outputs in the isolation pod 1605based on user selections and inferred preferences.

Consistent with the foregoing, an isolation pod entertainment apparatus1605 may include a sound-isolating enclosure 1626, a passenger seat 1640with safety restraints 1632 for vehicular conveyance in the enclosure1626, a transceiver 1654 for coupling to a computer network 100 exteriorto the apparatus, one or more processors 300 coupled to the transceiver,at least one output device 1654, 320, and a memory 304 coupled to the atleast one processor, the memory holding program instructions that whenexecuted by the processor 302 cause the apparatus to perform certainoperations. The operations may include, for example, identifying anoccupant of the enclosure; obtaining digital content for play on the atleast one output device, based at least in part on one or more of: anidentity of the occupant, one or more first identifiers for a journey bya vehicle coupled to the apparatus, or one or more second identifiersfor a stationary use of the apparatus; and outputting the digitalcontent to the at least one output device. Further details of thedigital content may be as described herein above for mobile andstationary client devices.

In an aspect, the at least one output device may include an immersivedisplay on walls of the apparatus 1605 surrounding at least a portion ofthe passenger seat 1640. The at least one output devise may includeadjacent panels.

The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the memory holds further programinstructions that when executed by the processor cause the apparatus toperform at least one of placing simultaneous action on different panelsor time coordinating past, present and future action scrolling acrossthe adjacent panels 1616, 1617, 1618, etc.

The apparatus 1605 may further include at least one of a motionisolation system or simulation system including at least a frame 165 andactuators 1656 interposed between the passenger seat and the enclosureand driven by a control system 1650, and an output port 330 for atactile output device for use by the occupant. The system 1656 mayfunction as motion isolation and/or motion simulation, depending oncontrol signals from the control system 1650. The control system 1650may include a client device 300, a motion controller 333 for driving anelectro-magnetic, hydraulic or pneumatic actuator system 1656 interposedbetween the passenger seat 1640 and the frame 1654. The system 1656 maybe driven by a corresponding motor or pump controller 1652, e.g., anmotor driver for an electrical motor or pump under control of theprocessor 302 via the controller 333. The processor 302 may producehigher-level signals (e.g., up, down, sideways) that the controller 333translates into analog signals for driving a motor or pump.

The apparatus 1605 may further include an aroma generator 377 (FIG. 3)responsive to at least a portion of the digital content. In addition,the pod 1605 may include at least one door (not shown) for entry andegress of a passenger/user 1630, and suitable ventilation/climatecontrol system (not shown).

In another aspect, at least one wall of the enclosure 1626 may beprovided with shutters 1662 controlling transparency of a window 1660under control of the one or more processors 302. The processor 302 maycontrol transparency in response to user input, status of a game orother content, or other factors.

FIG. 18 is shows further aspects of controlling digital output andcontrol of isolation pods as shown in FIGS. 16-17. A method 1800 foroperating an apparatus including a sound-isolating enclosure, one ormore processors, and at least one output device may include at 1810,identifying, by the one or more processors, an occupant of theenclosure. For example, the one or more processors may communicate via awireless link to a mobile device registered to the occupant, mayauthentic the occupant using sensor input such as biometric image data(audio or visual), may request an account identifier and password, orsome combination of the foregoing. Once the processor has identified theoccupant, it may use the occupant identity to access content accordingto the occupant's rights of use and preferences.

The method may further include at 1820 obtaining, by the one or moreprocessors, digital content for play on the at least one output device,based at least in part on one or more of: an identity of the occupant,one or more first identifiers for a journey by a vehicle coupled to theapparatus, or one or more second identifiers for a stationary use of theapparatus. The first identifiers may include information such as anorigin, a destination, a trip purpose, a travel time, and identity offellow travelers. In an alternative, or in addition, the secondidentifiers may include a purpose for a stationary use session, alocation of the session, and a duration of the session. The one or moreprocessors may execute a content selection protocol to select digitalcontent for output to the occupant in the interior of an isolation pod.

The method 1800 may further include outputting, by the one or moreprocessors, the digital content to the at least one output device. Theoutputting may be by various modes discussed in connection with theisolation pod 1605. For example, the method 1800 may include outputting,by the one or more processors, a signal for driving an immersive displayon walls of the apparatus surrounding at least a portion of thepassenger seat.

In some embodiments, the method 1800 may include configuring, by the oneor more processors, the signal for least one of placing simultaneousaction on adjacent panels or time coordinating past, present and futureaction scrolling across adjacent panels of the walls. In another aspect,the method 1800 may include controlling, by the one or more processors,at least one of a motion isolation system interposed between thepassenger seat and the enclosure, a motion simulation system interposedbetween the passenger seat and the enclosure, and an output port for atactile output device for use by the occupant.

In some embodiments, the method may include comprising controlling, bythe one or more processors, an aroma generator responsive to at least aportion of the digital content. In another aspect, the method 1800 mayinclude controlling, by the one or more processors, transparency of atleast one wall of the enclosure. For example, in response to user input,the processor may open or close an electro-mechanical or solid-stateshutter 1662 to admit or block light. In an alternative, the processormay enable an avatar of another user, or other object of interest, to berendered and output in the isolation pod.

Those of skill would further appreciate that the various illustrativelogical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described inconnection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented aselectronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. Toclearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software,various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and stepshave been described above generally in terms of their functionality.Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or softwaredepends upon the application and design constraints imposed on theoverall system. Skilled artisans may implement the describedfunctionality in varying ways for each application, but suchimplementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing adeparture from the scope of the present disclosure.

As used in this application, the terms “component”, “module”, “system”,and the like are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, eitherhardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or softwarein execution. For example, a component or a module may be, but are notlimited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, anobject, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or acomputer. By way of illustration, both an application running on aserver and the server can be a component or a module. One or morecomponents or modules may reside within a process and/or thread ofexecution and a component or module may be localized on one computerand/or distributed between two or more computers.

Various aspects will be presented in terms of systems that may includeseveral components, modules, and the like. It is to be understood andappreciated that the various systems may include additional components,modules, etc. and/or may not include all the components, modules, etc.discussed in connection with the figures. A combination of theseapproaches may also be used. The various aspects disclosed herein can beperformed on electrical devices including devices that utilize touchscreen display technologies, heads-up user interfaces, wearableinterfaces, and/or mouse-and-keyboard type interfaces. Examples of suchdevices include VR output devices (e.g., VR headsets), AR output devices(e.g., AR headsets), computers (desktop and mobile), televisions,digital projectors, smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs),and other electronic devices both wired and wireless.

In addition, the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, andcircuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein maybe implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digitalsignal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmablelogic device (PLD) or complex PLD (CPLD), discrete gate or transistorlogic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designedto perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processormay be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may beany conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or statemachine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination ofcomputing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, aplurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunctionwith a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

Operational aspects disclosed herein may be embodied directly inhardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in acombination of the two. A software module may reside in RAM memory,flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, harddisk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD),Blu-ray™, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. Anexemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such the processorcan read information from, and write information to, the storage medium.In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor.The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC mayreside in a client device or server. In the alternative, the processorand the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a clientdevice or server.

Furthermore, the one or more versions may be implemented as a method,apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware, or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedaspects. Non-transitory computer readable media can include but are notlimited to magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strips, or other format), optical disks (e.g., compact disk(CD), DVD, Blu-ray™ or other format), smart cards, and flash memorydevices (e.g., card, stick, or other format). Of course, those skilledin the art will recognize many modifications may be made to thisconfiguration without departing from the scope of the disclosed aspects.Thus, the system methods described herein may be embodied in anycomputer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system,processor-containing system, or other system that fetches theinstruction execution system, apparatus or device, and execute theinstructions. A computer-readable medium may be any device or apparatusthat stores, communicates, propagates, or transports a program for useby or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, ordevice. For example, non-transitory computer-readable medium may be anelectronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, orsemiconductor system, apparatus, device, or other storage medium knownin the art or yet to be developed.

The previous description of the disclosed aspects is provided to enableany person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure.Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may beapplied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scopeof the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to belimited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widestscope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosedherein.

In view of the exemplary systems described supra, methodologies that maybe implemented in accordance with the disclosed subject matter have beendescribed with reference to several flow diagrams. While for purposes ofsimplicity of explanation, the methodologies are shown and described asa series of blocks, it is to be understood and appreciated that theclaimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks, assome blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with otherblocks from what is depicted and described herein. For example, processdescriptions or blocks in flowcharts and block diagrams presented hereinmay be understood to represent modules, segments, or portions of code orlogic, which include one or more executable instructions forimplementing specific logical functions or steps in the associatedprocess. Alternative implementations are included within the scope ofthe present disclosure in which functions may be executed out of orderfrom the order shown or described herein, including substantiallyconcurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionalityinvolved, as would be understood by those reasonable skilled in the artafter having become familiar with the teachings of the presentdisclosure. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks may be required toimplement the methodologies described herein. Additionally, it should befurther appreciated that the methodologies disclosed herein are capableof being stored on an article of manufacture to facilitate transportingand transferring such methodologies to computers.

1. An apparatus comprising a portable housing, at least one processor inan interior of the housing, at least one output device and a memorycoupled to the at least one processor, the memory holding programinstructions that when executed by the processor cause the apparatus toperform: sensing that the apparatus is initiating a journey from anorigin to a destination; accessing a program for non-navigational socialinteraction with one or more passengers during the journey, based atleast in part on the sensing and on one or more identifiers for thejourney; and executing the program for non-navigational socialinteraction in synchrony with progress of the journey, thereby causingthe at least one output device to output human-perceivable interactivesocial behavior relating to the journey.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the at least one output device comprises an audio outputtransducer, the human-perceivable interactive social behavior comprisesspeech commenting on the journey, and the memory holds furtherinstructions for generating the speech at least in part by sending anaudio signal to the transducer.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theat least one output device comprises an electronic display screen, thesocial behavior comprises at least one of a facial expression or bodylanguage, and the memory holds further instructions for generating theat least one of a facial expression or body language at least in part bysending a video signal to the electronic display screen.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one output device comprises amotorized armature for a toy figure, the social behavior comprises atleast one of a facial expression or body language, and the memory holdsfurther instructions for generating the at least one of a facialexpression or body language at least in part by sending motor controlsignals to the motorized armature.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe portable housing has a form factor selected from the groupconsisting of: a toy figure, a character doll, a smartphone, a notepadcomputer, or a virtual reality headset.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the program for non-navigational social interaction includesacting as a guide to objects of interest along the route, and the memoryholds further instructions for generating the program during the journeyat least in part by querying a database of geographic information basedon information defining the journey.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the memory holds further instructions for providing access todigital content via a media player in a vehicle traversing the journeybased at least in part on presence of the apparatus in the vehicle,wherein the media player is distinct from the apparatus, and forunlocking one or more features of the apparatus based at least in parton presence of the apparatus in a vehicle traversing the journey. 8.(canceled)
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the memory holds furtherinstructions for unlocking features of a video game related to acharacter represented by the apparatus.
 10. An apparatus comprising atleast one display positioned on an exterior of a vehicle, at least oneprocessor and a memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memoryholding program instructions that when executed by the processor causethe apparatus to perform: receiving sensed information on at least oneobject external to the vehicle; displaying information on the at leastone object on at least one monitor positioned on an interior of thevehicle; determining at least one human-perceivable exteriorcommunication output; and outputting the at least one human-perceivableexterior communication output.
 11. (canceled)
 12. (canceled)
 13. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the sensed information includes an imageof the at least one object.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein theat least one object is another vehicle or a pedestrian located within apredetermined distance from the vehicle.
 15. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein the determining comprises at least one of: receiving an inputfrom a user in the vehicle, and basing the determination on userpreference data.
 16. (canceled)
 17. The apparatus of claim 10, whereinthe at least one human-perceivable exterior communication outputcomprises at least one of an image, a sound, a combination thereof, agesture visual, and a facial expression visual.
 18. (canceled)
 19. Theapparatus of claim 17, wherein the memory holds further instructions fordetermining the at least one of a gesture and a facial expression visualbased on an AI object detection algorithm.
 20. The apparatus of claim10, wherein the at least one exterior communication output is displayedfor a duration of a journey.
 21. (canceled)
 22. A method for simulatingsocial expression on an exterior of a vehicle relevant to circumstancesof travel, the method comprising: receiving, by at least one processor,sensed information on at least one object external to the vehicle;providing, by the at least one processor, information for output on atleast one monitor positioned on an interior of the vehicle; determiningat least one human-perceivable exterior communication output; andoutputting the at least one human-perceivable exterior communicationoutput to an output device positioned on an exterior of the vehicle. 23.The method of claim 22, further comprising receiving, by the at leastone processor, the sensed information from at least one of a camera, aGPS sensor and a motion sensor.
 24. (canceled)
 25. The method of claim22, further comprising receiving, by the at least one processor, thesensed information comprising an image of the at least one object, anddetermining, by the at least one processor, whether the at least oneobject is another vehicle or a pedestrian located within a predetermineddistance from the vehicle.
 26. (canceled)
 27. The method of claim 22,further comprising performing the determining, by the at least oneprocessor, at least in part based on at least one of: an input from auser in the vehicle and user preference data.
 28. (canceled) 29.(canceled)
 30. The method of claim 22, further comprising generating, bythe at least one processor, the at least one human-perceivable exteriorcommunication output comprising at least one of an image, a gesture anda facial expression visual. 31.-38. (canceled)